I suspect the difficulty is and has always been that Peter Dunne is only one. He may truly want bold but it may only come if he can influence 60 other people in the House. I really hope he can because he does give us cause for hope. Maybe we could start a campaign to encourage him to be ( as he said at UNGASS,) bold.

I think it’s sad that a discussion about public health has turned into personal attacks.

Me too. One thing I have noticed is that, because many interact with other forms of communication, it seems like ye ol' (and I'm not being racist!) Chinese whispers by the time contributions get back to the thread of topic. When one doesn't get to see one's face, look a person in the eyes, glasses ,patch, whatever, one can only take written comments as they feel like taking them, not needing to try understand how , who or what is being said and perfect English may not be that person's first language . The number of factors that go into people having what boils down to an open public conversation with strangers on a very personal level is not that easy for all to get on the same page . I think what fucks it up is the whole "you're wrong, I'm right" . We don't get to be either all the time so maybe agreeing to disagree could dampen the animosity. None of us is perfect.

Good, and good on Hilary Barry.Subtle,principled but apposite I would say. For a man who led the charge on disposing of people much loved in a small community, then arrogantly ignoring the small audience TV3 had, I'd say Hilary and her David moment showed Goliath that life and the pursuit of happiness is not and never was about Mark Weldon. His ego, (much like John Keys, for, they are of the same ilk)) got kicked to the curb, I just wish to see Mr Key being next. If New Zealanders stand together ,that should be easy , just takes us all voting strategically (for the sake of the Country) come next Election.